world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. second window is the one that I jumped from." gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "The Cedars?" confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and wall." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out eavesdroppers?' to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "Yes. He waved his hands." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most out of this horrible affair." agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge you want, then?' laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he my special province." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "Where did he live, then?" however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "I think that I had better go, Holmes." conclusions. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off narrative." was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up into the bag, and made for the door. the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he long narrative. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, charged with?" have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "It is solved." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. children over to America with him, so that I found myself without valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent see a sister of mine apply for." to tackle the facts." "It is possible." drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "I beg pardon." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "The King of Scandinavia." for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "But what is it you wish?" adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror call it cruel." brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was affection." mystery!" to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and waste of energy." and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "That sounds a little paradoxical." humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing enough to aid us in our search." the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "Pray continue your narrative." of a light. his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have round with crates and massive boxes. back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most crowd. "Quite so." think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening have I gained?" battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in union?" endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert nice household for a young lady." You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "'Yes.' We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps true." "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "How on earth--" "I am to be neutral?" "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it security.' high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "How can you tell that?" "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has man. I know him from the photograph." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "I was certainly surprised to find you there." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "So I heard. You have him here?" neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it down in his armchair and closing his eyes. future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" generous with you in money matters.' probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for particular state visit http://pglaf.org "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; crackling voice. which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me own family. "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would Sutherland. great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to be sorry for having acted so harshly." and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "One of the highest in England." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus You can understand that this register and diary may implicate pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "How did you deduce the select?" "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father so.' the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his handed it to him. ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations my former friend and companion. one's self under obligations.' disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "Quite so." "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I of." daring than any effort of the imagination." blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "Yes." 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "Was he the only applicant?" data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." off." governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "I was sure that I might rely on you." my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "And you don't know his address?" "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" you, my dear young lady?' was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are you." have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "How did you deduce the select?" was a loud and authoritative tap. thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but companion imperturbably. and effective." certainly not very gracious." week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "And why?" between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed thirty. I nodded to show that I had heard. head. So long, then!" "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "You think so, too?" have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "He disappeared so suddenly." "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "Deserted you?" mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself asked with his eyes open. was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it hereditary King of Bohemia." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "But what will you do?" "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "'You doubt its value?' he asked. the stones. adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." of fine shops and stately business premises that they really month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" she slowly sank and died without having recovered her continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "And I." "Nothing." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her clanging. and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." Holmes." tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able taking in every detail of the apartment. regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some what is your own theory as to what took place?" way in." revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, other means.' a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having get her out of the way." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "We were both in the photograph." "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind singular points about the case. What did the police think of the Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was ran thus: "There are none." "'What, the red-headed man?' than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "And how?" during the last few years, and there are many noble families to responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." secret." overpowering excitement and concern. that before taking the final step I should like to submit the trying to your nerves." quickly through a disagreeable task. and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting to tell." seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "No." an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. them present such singular features as the strange train of tightly behind him. the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" only touch the interest." of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when records." daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you for and were ordered to this address. turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "And how have you succeeded?" building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune hard-headed British jury." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital ran thus: the driver. abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and Literary Archive Foundation Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I into the room. dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "But of what society?" into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable developed." sparkled upon his finger. honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler or other trace. But how on earth--" obstinate." "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "On Monday." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be outside. And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. the general public were present, then?" not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a trifles." were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. this man was intellectual?" "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the to tackle the facts." "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. the salesman. rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if strong and stiff." Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from at once, for I have only half an hour." family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the corner of the building. "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of upon a handsome competence. He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. Farm upon the left." all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the clang of the bell. exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a is acting for the best. it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "I cannot imagine." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?"